You know, I'm sure its been suggested already- but if it hasn't, there really ought to be an "Introductions" or "Hi I'm new" forum under the General section, with a descriptor encouraging folks to make their first post an introduction. People seem to do that a lot anyway, it seems also to be a logical place to "warn" about the no-links-on-first-post thing, and designates a specific area for this sort of thing.

Sure there will be those that miss the roadsign, but creating a landing spot for this type of thing might be a nice feature..